Dual-flush valve

Abstract

A flush valve is adapted to be mounted in the tank of a toilet and includes a selector assembly and a flush valve. The selector assembly is accessible from outside the toilet and provides for initiation of the flushing operation and an alternative choice between a larger flush water volume and a smaller flush water volume. A support structure provides for both axial and radial movement of the selector assembly relative to the flush valve in order to facilitate mounting and alignment of the flush valve assembly. A slide mechanism provides for variation of at least the smaller flush water volume.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A toilet, comprising: a bowl adapted to receive waste to be flushed;   a tank providing a reservoir of water to flush the bowl;   a flush valve assembly disposed in the tank and operable to release the water into the bowl in a first volume associated with the flushing of liquid waste and a second volume greater than the first volume associated with the flushing of solid waste;   a selector apparatus included in the flush valve assembly and accessible from outside the tank, for initiating a flushing operation and for selecting one of the first flush volume and the second flush volume;   a flush valve included in the flush valve assembly and responsive to operation of the selector apparatus to release the water into the bowl;   the flush valve being responsive to operation of the selector apparatus to select the first flush volume by opening the flush valve at the beginning of a first time period associated with the first flush volume, and by closing the flush valve at the end of the first time period associated with the first flush volume;   the flush valve being responsive to operation of the selector apparatus to select the second flush volume by opening the flush valve at the beginning of a second time period associated with a second volume and by closing the flush valve at the end of the second time period associated with the second flush volume;   the second time period being greater than the first time period;   the first time period being adjustable to vary the first flush volume;   a float having at least one wall defining a hollow chamber;   first portions of the wall defining at least one water inlet for receiving the water at a first water entry rate associated with the first flush volume, and a second water entry rate associated with the second flush volume; and   the second water entry rate being less than the first water entry rate.   
     
     
       2. The toilet recited in claim 1, wherein the float further comprises: second portions of the wall defining at least one air outlet hole for releasing air from the chamber at a first air release rate associated with the first water entry rate, and a second air release rate associated with the second water entry rate; and   the second air release rate being less than the first air release rate.   
     
     
       3. The toilet recited in claim 2, wherein the selection apparatus comprises: a first selector operable to initiate the flushing operation and to select the first flush volume;   a second selector operable to initiate the flushing operation and to select the second flush volume; and   a tube disposed in fluid communication with the air release outlet hole in the float; and   the tube being sealed in response to operation of the second selector, and being open in response to operation of the first selector.   
     
     
       4. The toilet recited in claim 3, wherein the selector assembly includes: a first push button operable to select the first flush volume; and   a second push button operable to select the second flush volume.   
     
     
       5. A method for flushing a toilet to alternatively initiate a flushing operating with a first flush water volume and a second flush water volume greater than the first flush water volume, including the steps of: providing a selector apparatus having a first actuator associated with the first flush water volume and a second actuator associated with a second flush water volume, and a hollow float;   operating the first actuator to initiate the flushing operation with the first flush water volume;   operating the second actuator to initiate the flushing operation with the second flush water volume;   during the first operating step, introducing water into the hollow float at a first rate dependent upon the first flush water volume;   during the second operating step, introducing water into the hollow float at a second rate less than the first rate and dependent upon the second flush water volume.   
     
     
       6. The method for flushing a toilet recited in claim 5, wherein: the providing step includes a step of providing the selector apparatus having the first actuator in the form of a first button and the second actuator in the form of a second button;   the first operating step includes the step of pushing the first button; and   the second operating step includes the step of pushing the second button.   
     
     
       7. The method for flushing a toilet recited in claim 6, wherein the first operating step further comprises the steps of: initiating the flushing operation by pushing the first button; and   selecting the first flush water volume by pushing the first button.   
     
     
       8. The method for flushing a toilet recited in claim 7, wherein the initiating step and the selecting step occur substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
       9. A toilet, comprising: a bowl adapted to receive waste to be flushed;   a tank providing a reservoir water to flush the bowl;   a flush valve assembly disposed in the tank and operable to release the water into the bowl in a first volume associated with the flushing of liquid waste and a second volume greater than the first volume associated with the flushing of solid waste;   a float having at least one wall defining a hollow chamber;   first portions of the wall defining at least water inlet for receiving water at a first water entry rate associated with the first flush volume, and a second water entry rate associated with a second flush volume;   the second water entry rate being greater than the first water entry rate.   
     
     
       10. The toilet recited in claim 9, wherein the float further comprises: second portions of the wall defining at least one air outlet hole for releasing air from the hollow chamber at a first air release rate associated with the first water entry rate, and a second air release rate associated with a second water entry rate; and   the second air release rate being less than the first air release rate.